Ancient Astrology

by Tamsyn Barton

An account of astrology from its beginnings in Mesopotamia, focusing on the Greco-Roman world, Ancient Astrology examines the theoretical development and changing social and political role of astrology.

Genres: Astrology, History

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 1994

Reviews

[Gavin White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I am not an astrologer I found this book useful as a preliminary guide to the history and roots of the astrological arts. The part that interested me the most was the very first chapter on the historical background in Egypt and Mesopotamia. This was solid but all too brief for my liking. However it did provide me with sufficient references to get hold of the information I wanted on Babylonian astrology. I can't comment on the rest of the book as I only skimmed it.

[Pavel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readable in-depth intro to theories and practices of ancient astrology. Helpful chapter on astrology's connections with meteorology, medicine, physiognomy, ethnology and magic.

[kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book an easy read, mostly because it skims the surface of astrology and doesn’t go deep into the reasoning behind it.
It mostly focuses on Hellenistic astrology (which, it is explained, was based on Mesopotamian, Babylonian and Egyptian astrology) and traces the evolution of astrological thought but again, this isn’t explored in depth.
There is a section on how to apply these concepts when casting a horoscope but because there was so little explanation of astrological theory, it is hard trace her line of thought in this section.
Some of the facts in this book are questionable. Barton refers to Ronald Reagan using an astrologer after her "successful" prediction of the assassination attempt on him as a comparison to how astrology was used by ancient rulers. But my understanding is that the astrologer mentioned the assassination attempt only after it had taken place (so was it really successful?) and played on the Reagans’ insecurities so it’s not exactly a great comparison or perhaps that was her point, if so, it wasn’t made clear. Also, she mentions that Egyptians called Scorpio the Horizon because it marked the beginning of the Egyptian year when it appeared on the morning horizon but I thought Sothis on the horizon marked the beginning of the Egyptian year though I could be wrong.
As a reader, you would need at least some knowledge of astrology before reading this book because not many concepts are explained and the glossary is very lean.
But overall I personally found the book interesting.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable scholarship here - a tracking of the (spotty) evidence within the historical context, a clearly written introduction to astrological method (with diagrams), a curious application of ancient astrological practice to the horoscope of Prince Charles, and an explication of why the ancient interpretations didn't work - or better said: why they worked to a different purpose. But most valuable was the overview of what can be gleaned from astrological texts about the ancient world.

[Diego Fleitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for an intensive course, Divination 101, and was overall very pleased with the work. It does a very good job of referencing and contextualizing astrology in the ancient world, as well as approaching valid questions relating astrology to science, religion, and modern astrology. It was a bit dry, but certainly scholarly and respectable -- I hope to reference it for time to come!

[Vasilis Kanatas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book for the history of Western Astrology. Especially chapter 5 that describes Prince Charle's Horoscope according to Firmicus Maternus as well as Dorotheus of Sidon. There is a summary on each chapter that makes later references easier.